Well that was a typical ARRL DX SSB but seems for different reasons.
160 and 80 were very marginal all weekend but the geomagnetic
conditions weren't bad. Still conditions were very poor. I am still
hopeful for a great 160/80 weekend some ARRL DX weekend.
40M closed early to EU (usually about 0130Z) but was nicely open
from 05 - 08Z but activity was moderate. Had a great run on
Saturday afternoon but it did not repeat Sunday afternoon. I
did get some pops of activity near the end (last 2 hours) but
not a sustained run period. Nice Long Path opening to VK and
Saturday afternoon.
20M was fantastic from 11Z - 19Z both days to EU. JA was poor
Sat night - better Sun night but as usual - low activity then as
its Monday morning. Did have 2 - 5Watt JA stations call me. Had
one 40M Q with JA that was a struggle. No JA on 80 or 15. And
only one ZL (on 20M long path) and no VK on 20 or 15.
15M was a temptress both days. I gave in and ran - getting some
nice mults but it never lasted. Very spotlight prop. And then
returning to 20M to "find a hole" was not easy. Layers of CQing -
lots of frequency pushes. Its a ritual of ARRL DX for the half
of the cycle where its the only running band to EU from 11 - 19Z.
10M was almost a bust but there were a couple of fluries for a bit.
Lucky to get the few contacts I did. Went back for another pass one
time and the band was completely (is the antenna working?) dead only
30 mins later. Crazy. Must have been E-Skip. And it vanished.
Look forward to seeing everyone for WPX as AC1U.
73 and thanks for all the Qs and hellos.
73
Ed N1UR